Despite cold and snowy conditions in mid-December, farm broadcasters at RRFN (Grand Forks, ND) met the challenge. Mike Hergert said, “One thing about people who live here is they expect extreme weather and are prepared for it! The storms have been very well predicted and anticipated. I should not be so crass, but I don’t believe the weather caused any serious challenges. On the other hand, Mike admitted, “There was one day when only Don Wick, Randy Koenen, and our office manager came to work. Don got stuck in our parking lot. I am not aware of any livestock stress that resulted.” Carah Hart agreed. She said, “Weather hasn’t caused too many challenges for livestock producers that I’ve heard, and the roads are mostly clear now (especially outside of Grand Forks, ND). It’s just really cold.” Don Wick said, “I would agree with my colleagues. Cold and snow are expected in December in North Dakota. We do see extremes.” From this mid-December storm, temperatures were below zero, and snowfall measured more than a foot. “It was not uncommon to see minus 25 readings on the thermometer. Grand Forks dipped to minus 27. Aberdeen, SD was one of the coldest spots in the RRFN region at minus 37. That’s air temperature, not wind chill. We’ve had a couple wimpy winters in a row, so Mother Nature has thrown a few extra challenges at us this year,” Don said. “I was shoveling because I got my Jeep stuck in the company parking lot. That’s a great way to start the day!”
by snowfall and gray wintry skies.
